2019-20
Updated 3/8/2019
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
Scarville Lutheran School is a Christian institution, instructing children in Christian character. All areas of curriculum are taught from a Christian perspective, which include reading, writing and mathematics, as well as religious instruction, language, spelling, phonics, science, history, music, art, and Latin. Our guiding principle is to encourage a Christian attitude in life and to “Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Scarville Lutheran School provides Competent Private Instruction (CPI) as defined in Iowa Code 299A.3.
As Ephesians 3:4 states, we believe it is the primary responsibility of the parents to “Bring up a child in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Therefore, we, as an institution, seek to assist the parents in their responsibility to instruct children in God’s Word.
The eternal truths of the Scriptures are the foundation of the curriculum of Scarville Lutheran School. “And that from childhood thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:17). Through its Christian education program, our instructors provide for the wellbeing of all children and direct them in the comprehensive development of spiritual, physical, and intellectual ability. The following is a summary of our objectives:
1. To nurture and strengthen the faith of each child through God’s Word, the Bible.
2. To provide thorough instruction in all areas of curriculum.
3. To offer a Christian environment for education and growth.
4. To encourage a rich devotional routine centered in Scripture.
5. To support parenthood and life outside of the classroom.
6. To teach respect and honor regarding civic responsibilities.
- To promote a life of learning and service to God.
POSITION STATEMENT ON SEX AND GENDER IDENTITY
Scarville Lutheran School affirms the position Statement on Sex and Gender Identity as stated in the 2018 Evangelical Lutheran Synod Convention.
Doctrine Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod August 2017 (affirmed June, 2018, annual synod convention of the ELS):
God created the human race with unique gender distinctions as male and female (Gen. 1:27; 1 Cor. 15:45a; Gen. 3:20). According to their innate maleness and femaleness, men and women relate to one another in various complementary and mutually-fulfilling ways, within marriage and the family, and also in the larger human community (Gen. 2:18-19a, 20b-24; 1 Cor. 11:11-12). The distinctive procreative anatomy of men and women is an essential mark and feature of the maleness of men and of the femaleness of women (Gen 1:28; Is. 49:15a). Rare and unusual cases of biological abnormality do exist, where a person may have both male and female chromosomal and genetic indicators, and both male and female anatomical features (Matt. 19:12). But when it is unambiguously clear that a person is biologically either male or female, then before God and as a creature of God that person’s objective gender identity – which is unchangeably fixed from birth – corresponds to his or her biological sex (Is. 43:6b-7). This remains true in spite of any psychological confusions pertaining to gender identity with which someone may be afflicted (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:4b). A person who suffers from such confusions can find peace, relief, and spiritual healing in the redemption and forgiving love of Christ, and with God’s help can seek to overcome these confusions (2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 12:1-2). It is contrary to God’s will for someone whom he has created as male to live and identify as a woman, or for someone whom he has created as female to live and identify as a man (Deut. 22:5).
Passages Referenced:
Genesis 1:27 (ESV): So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
1 Corinthians 15:45a (ESV): Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being…
Genesis 3:20 (ESV): The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Genesis 2:18-19a, 20b-24 (ESV): Then the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens… But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (ESV): Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.
Genesis 1:28 (ESV): And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
Isaiah 49:15a (ESV): Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Matthew 19:12 (ESV): For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.
Isaiah 43:6b-7 (ESV): …bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV): The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Romans 3:4b (NKJV): Let God be true but every man a liar…
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV): For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Deuteronomy 22:5 (ESV): A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.
POLICIES OF OPERATION*
1. Classes begin at 8:30 AM. Students should be ready and in their seats (please arrive at least 10 minutes before school to prepare for the day). School will be dismissed at 3:10 PM.
2. 180 instructional days comprise each school year.
3. Kindergartners attend full days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the school year.
4. Students need to bring their own lunches every day.
5. Candy and gum are prohibited during school (except on special occasions, such as birthdays or special parties).
6. Written parental permission is required for a child to stay indoors at recess.
7. Children must stay within school property during school hours.
8. Recess time is 20 minutes in the morning; the noon lunch and recess period is 55 minutes (recess may also be used as a time for Physical Education).
9. One primary field trip is planned for the spring of each year; shorter trips, such as library visits, concerts or other educational outings are often added.
10. Volunteerism is encouraged and should be coordinated by the teacher and approved by the school board.
11. Volunteer transportation to events and activities outside of school is coordinated by the teacher.
12. Parental signatures are required on permission slips for all scheduled activities and must be returned to a teacher prior to each event.
13. A school board, which consists of three elected voters from Scarville Synod Lutheran Church, oversees the general operation of the school. Immediate authority on the premise is the pastor, or in his absence, the primary teacher on duty.
14. A teacher must be notified by phone, email, or written note as soon as possible if a student is going to be absent.
15. All immunization and pertinent health information must be given to the teacher and kept on file at the school. Forms are available from the teacher upon request. All medical and contact information must be kept current.
16. The school is not responsible for any administration of medication or special medical care. If assistance is necessary, a teacher will contact a parent for instructions or permission. In cases of emergency, a teacher will immediately call for medical assistance. Again, all medical and contact information must be kept current.
17. All assignments must be completed prior to the next class period, with the exception of larger projects. Late work will be given a grade reduction and must be finished that day. All work not finished will receive a grade of “incomplete” until finished.
DRESS CODE
1. Children must be dressed appropriately for the weather; proper outdoor clothing for the weather is important.
2. Shoes are required during school; boots may be necessary for outdoor recess and activities, depending on the weather.
3. Clothes should be neat, clean, and in good condition (not torn and tattered).
4. Shorts may be worn; shorts are to be at least mid-thigh in length.
5. Inappropriate slogans or logos are not to be worn or displayed.
STUDENT DUTIES
1. Raise and lower the flag daily, weather permitting.
2. Take out garbage according to the pick-up schedule.
3. Maintain bathroom facilities (cleaning agents/chemicals are never to be used by the students).
4. Sweep floors daily.
5. Shut down computers daily.
6. Clean snow from school sidewalks when needed.
7. Clear off desks at the end of each school day.
- Follow any general cleanup instructions from teachers.
POLICIES FOR DISCIPLINE*
1. Our goal is to develop self-control and a sense of responsibility guided by a love of God.
2. Disciplinary measures taken by the teacher should be done calmly and in Christian love.
3. A punishment will, when possible, fit the offense.
4. Punishments should be fair and consistent, not humiliating, so that a student does not lose personal dignity.
5. Class rules and conduct should be developed primarily for classroom order; the teacher may post these rules in the classroom.
- In general, children are encouraged to be calm, friendly, loving, respectful, happy, peaceful, humble, kind, and industrious. A detailed description of disciplinary procedures is found in the Policy Manual of Scarville Lutheran School.
FINANCIAL POLICIES*
1. Non-member tuition for the 2019-2020 school year is $3500.00 per student. Returning non-member student tuition is $1500.00 per student, with a second child discounted rate of $1000 per student half payable prior to the first quarter and the remaining half prior to the third quarter. Tuition will be re-evaluated prior to each year by the school board.
2. Each student (member and non-member) pays yearly fees for books and printed materials. The fee for books and other printed material for the 2019-2020 school year is $175.00, payable prior to the first quarter. Fees will be re-evaluated prior to each year by the school board.
3. All overdue fees must be paid by the end the quarter.
4. All accounts must be current before the student can re-enroll in the school for the following year. Any payments received will fulfill any past due accounts before being applied to current accounts.
5. Scarville Lutheran School is run on a tight budget. Personal contributions, tuition, and fees are our only sources of revenue. Please keep your account current.
- Because of the way in which Scarville Lutheran School is financed, we strongly encourage donations to cover additional costs. The tuition fee is set low for your benefit, so that no child is turned away for financial reasons. All donations and volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated.
- For an alternative payment schedule, please contact Mr. Mathew Sulzle, School Treasurer.
POLICIES FOR TEACHERS*
1. Any official school business should be directed through the school board. The Pastor or administrator is your contact person. This includes all tuition/fee payments and important business mail addressed to the administrator.
2. Any and all bills to the school should be submitted to the school board.
3. If a student has more than four unexcused tardy days per quarter, the school board is to be notified.
4. Teachers are to supervise children at all times (within reason).
5. School Friends programs are held five times per year. The program begins with devotion by the pastor. The children then present a program, followed by a school meeting and lunch. The children’s program may consist of songs, poems, skits, reports, demonstrations, etc., usually lasting about 15-30 minutes. The last program of the year is eighth grade graduation and student recital. In addition to School Friends programs, the children also present a Christmas program for the December meeting of the women’s Bible study.
6. A teacher must arrange parent/teacher conferences after the first and third quarters.
7. A teacher must arrange the following parties:
• Fall Costume Party (October)
• Christmas Party with community caroling (December)
• Valentine’s Party (February)
8. A teacher must arrange field trips, notifying the parents in advance and distributing/collecting all permission slips. Local field trips (leaving the school grounds, but less than a full day) shall require a yearly permission slip and timely parent.
9. A teacher is to confer with the school board or pastor when planning and confirming field trips.
10. A teacher must arrange a SLS Open House each year in the spring. The schedule for the day will generally be determined by a teacher and announced in the church newsletter and select advertisements at least one month prior to the Open House.
11. The teacher must schedule any meetings with prospective students and their parents.
12. The teacher should prepare for the school day (unlock doors, turn lights on, etc.) by 8 AM.
13. The school building shall be kept locked during the school day.
14. The teacher should check that school doors are locked and lights are turned off at the end of the day.
15. In accordance with the Visitor Policy in the Policy Manual, all non-member volunteers and visitors shall be approved by the School Board in advance.
* Please refer to the Policy Manual of Scarville Lutheran School for more detailed information on these policies and others not included in this Handbook.
